Postponed childbearing increases the likelihood that the responsibility for caring for frail elderly parents will coincide with the period of active mothering. A woman who is 40 at the time she first becomes a mother may easily have parents or other family members over the age of 65, or even over 85 years of age. Noting that 44 percent of women who assume the care of elders in their family are employed, this paper explores the daily realities represented by the confluence of these major demographic trends. Among the issues discussed are integrating the roles of working full-time both at home and in the work place, caring for the elderly and its impact on the family, and selecting in-home or family day care options. The paper makes recommendations which include goals to: (1) provide recognition and assistance for women in their roles as caregivers throughout the life cycle; (2) begin in elementary school to teach the skills and attitudes necessary for nurturing to both males and females so that nurturing skills will be valued in adulthood irrespective of gender; and (3) expand the availability of care options for both young children and the elderly. Contains 26 references. (SM)